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What is WIMSA?
The Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA) was established in 1996 in Windhoek, Namibia following an organisational needs assessment carried out in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. WIMSA is a regional organisation which represents and works with the San of southern Africa in order to provide them with the opportunity to deal with their problems, needs and concerns and to ensure that their voices are heard (see Diagram 1).
What does WIMSA do?
WIMSA’s activities can best be explained by its Mission Statement:
• To assist the San in gaining political recognition
• To assist the San in gaining better access to financial, human and natural resources
• To raise human rights awareness and to provide legal assistance
• To support San communities in becoming self-sustainable
• To network and serve as a resource information centre for San and other support organisations
• To support the San in regaining their identity and pride in their cultures
• To form a Regional San Council that will represent the San in southern Africa
• To support the San in achieving recognition of their own traditional leadership structures
• To raise and manage funds for the purpose of carrying out WIMSA’s objectives
• To remain committed to democratic principles
WIMSA activities are broad-based and encompass work with the San at both an individual and a national/regional level. San organisations are encouraged to apply to WIMSA for membership and members have increased considerably during the last decade (see Diagram 2). WIMSA’s activities are greatly diversified, but can be divided into five main themes: Education and Training, Institutional Capacity Building, Heritage and Culture, Human Rights and Land and Natural Resources.
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For more information on the work of WIMSA,
visit www.san.org.za or email WIMSA at wimsareg@.iafrica.com.na
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